Bicycling in New York City more popular and safer than ever

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NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - With all the issues going on with the subway and of course the usual traffic and construction throughout the city, a lot of New Yorkers say riding your bike is now one of the best ways to get around.

Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White said bicycling has grown 150 percent since 2006. New York now has about half a million bike trips every day. He held a press conference Monday with Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

"In the morning rush hour, you are seeing more cyclists on the roadway than you're seeing automobiles," Trottenberg said. "Which is a real change of pace here in New York."

Together, they announced the results from a new study that showed record bike ridership levels. Citi Bike alone accounts for about 70,000 trips per day.

"We now have 1,133 miles of bike lanes throughout the city and 425 of those are protected lane miles, which are the kind we most like to ride on," Trottenberg said.

Ian, who lives in Brooklyn, said he bicycles everywhere, including to work. The main reason he and other cyclists told us they ride is convenience.

The cycling trend shows no sign of slowing down. The availability of Citi Bike throughout the city plus bike lanes have been instrumental in making cycling not only more popular but safer.

"As bicycling has gone up it's actually gotten safer," White said. "There is safety in numbers. I think more people riding on the street sends a strong message to motorists that you're likely to see a bicyclist, slow down, be alert, and be respectful."

Cyclists told me they'd like to see even more protected bike lanes throughout the city.